Gachoka apologizes to court
Businessman Antony Gachoka has apologized to a magistrate he allegedly refused to appear before to answer contempt of court charges.
Mr Gachoka pleaded with Ms Maisy Chesang to pardon him, saying he is a father of three and his family depends on him for guidance.
“I offer my apology to this court. Lawyer Nicholas Nyamai did not serve me with the order requiring me to appear before you over a contempt of court charge,” Mr Gachoka told the magistrate.
He was represented by lawyers Charles Mwongela and Edwin Sifuna.
“Do have sympathy for my family when imposing a sentence since I did not intend to show disrespect to this court when I failed to turn up when ordered to do so,” said the businessman
Mr Gachoka had been summoned to appear before Ms Chesang with talk show presenter Jeff Koinange to explain why they should not be punished for commenting on a case pending before her.
Mr Gachoka told the magistrate that he was not spiteful of her court by filing an application in the High Court seeking to challenge a warrant of arrest she had issued against the two.
CORRUPTION
In his 30-minute defence, Mr Gachoka said he is not an employee of the Standard Group that owns KTN, which invited him to discuss corruption.
“I am not employed by any media house but I am usually invited to give an opinion on any topical issue,” Mr Gachoka told the magistrate.
He said he was invited by Mr Koinange to discuss corruption after President Uhuru Kenyatta addressed Parliament on the subject.
Mr Gachoka told Ms Chesang that he mentioned businessmen Jimmy Wanjigi, Sani Mbui Wanjigi and Kwacha Group of Companies.
He praised the court for giving him audience, saying he was once sent to jail by a seven-judge Bench and was never given an opportunity to express himself.
“I believe in the rule of law and I will be the last person to show disrespect for a court of law,” said Mr Gachoka.
Mr Nyamai for Kwacha and the Wanjigis applied to have Mr Koinange and Mr Gachoka punished for contempt of court. The court will deliver its ruling on Friday next week.
This story first appeared in the Daily Nation